Chittorgarh: At just 12 years of age, Ekansh Agnani from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, has achieved a remarkable feat by winning an international gold medal in karate. The young athlete defeated a competitor from Nepal at the 10th International Karate Championship (Indian Challenger Cup) held in Kolkata.
Sharing his emotions after the victory, Ekansh said that he feels nervous before stepping into a match, but the dream of winning gold for India while carrying the Tricolour gives him the confidence to fight harder.
Started karate journey at the age of five
Ekansh developed an interest in self-defence at a very young age. When he was only five, he expressed his wish to learn karate to his parents, Mukesh and Yashika Agnani.
What began as a hobby soon became a passion. His coach Mohit Vaishnav noticed his dedication and ability to quickly learn new techniques. Along with karate skills, Ekansh was trained to remain calm, focused and confident during competitive matches.
Defeat at first national event became motivation
Ekansh participated in district and state-level competitions before entering his first national championship at the age of nine. Although he could not win a medal in his debut national event, he did not give up.
The following year, he secured a bronze medal at the national level, followed by a gold medal the year after. He also won gold in Ranchi earlier this year before achieving international success in Kolkata.
Daily practice and focus on studies
Ekansh trains for around two to three hours every day while also managing his academics. He believes discipline and proper time management are the keys to achieving success in both sports and studies.
According to him, self-defence is an important skill for everyone, as difficult situations can arise when external help may not always be available.
Dreams of winning gold on foreign soil
The international gold medal has only increased Ekansh’s ambitions. After achieving success at district, state, national and international levels, he now aims to represent India in more global competitions and win a gold medal on foreign soil.
His coach Mohit Vaishnav said Ekansh will continue preparing for upcoming tournaments, including international events after a competition scheduled in Puducherry later this year.
Young karate star’s growing medal record
Despite his young age, Ekansh has already built an impressive record, winning 10 gold, one silver and five bronze medals across district, state, national and international competitions.
His achievements include an international gold medal, two national gold medals, one national bronze, three state gold medals and several district-level victories. He has also earned multiple karate belts, including the black belt.
Ekansh’s journey began with his first gold medal at the District Cup in 2021 and continued with consistent performances over the years, culminating in his biggest achievement winning international gold at the Kolkata International Karate Championship in 2026.